i want to finish a longbow blank

[recurvecody]

well i'm wanting to get into building bow, i don't own very many tools like press and stuff of that nature.but i've been seeing bow blanks for sale and i was wondering how do you get them to your draw wheight finishing things like that and where can you get one for a reasonable price.if anyone can point me in the right direction would be much appreciated.
thanks cody

[JamesV]

Cody,

I would suggest you try a U-finish bow, from one of the suppliers. Or maybe one of the guys on here could build you a unfinished bow at a reasonable price.

                     JamesV

[recurvecody]

james,

could you suggest a few people i could contact?

cody

[blueslfb]

Dryad makes a nice u-finish bow. I have two of them and they are easy to finish.  Just order the draw weight you want if it is a fiberglass blank.  Dryad Bows is a sponsor on here.

[recurvecody]

okay thanks blue

[kodiakkid]

Mike Mcguire sells some nice osage blanks. If his prices haven't changed they are 65.00 shipped

[razorsharptokill]

Remember.. power tools will ruin a bow quicker that you can blink. If you use them be super careful.  Sometimes the difference between fire wood and a nice bow is about 2.0 seconds on a drum or belt sander. GO SLOW. Study tillering till it is as basic to you as counting. You can never put the wood/glass back on. Lots of knowledge available here, I suggest you use it. I doubt a single bowyer here would turn you down if you ask for pointers. Most of all... have fun.

[Bob L.]

Dan Toelke of montanabows will sell a prefinished/bow blank.

[recurvecody]

i think i need to do a lot of research and figure exactly what i want and then jump into it.thanks for all the info guys.

[Pat B]

Also, James Parker, Huntworthyproductions, is also a sponsor and makes an excellent prefinished glue up. Check out his website.

[R.W.]

Dryad Long bows sells an excellent "bow blank" I have finished off four of these, and all are good performers.

Mike Ballenger of Seven Lakes Longbows also sells a u finish blank longbow.

I believe "Howard Hill Archery" sells u-finish longbows too.

I have finished blanks from Dryad, and Seven Lakes, and both of these businesses have been good to deal with.

R.W.

[Diamondback59]

go to rudder bows  jim will set u stright help u all u need they have several diff u finish bows to pick from  brock

[jsweka]

If you want to pretty much guarentee you'll end up with a shooter when your done, there's no easier way than a straight limbed laminated longbow blank such as one from Howard Hill.  It will have the right laminations in it to hit your desired weight and little to no tillering will be needed.  Now a laminated blank will cost some more than an all wood bow blank.  If you're more adventurous,and don't want to spend as much money, than a wood bow blank from some of the vendors mentioned above will be good.  But there's a greater chance for errors in tillering - even seasoned bowyers sometimes miss their desired weight when tillering.

Whichever way you go and no matter how it turns out I can guarantee one thing.  You WILL want to do another.  This stuff is as adictive!

[Ranger B]

Watch the videos I've posted "Making a selfbow." They are free and you will see what you need. Buy a blank from Gary Davis at Rattlestick bows. They are as close to finished as you will get in a bow blank. DO NOT use a power tool or you will waste your money. If you buy a blank from Gary all you will need is a scrape and some sand paper.
Best of luck.

My videos are on this page. Google Gary Davis or look in  a Primitive ARcher magazine for his number.

[Ranger B]

Making a selfbow  


Rattlestick Bows (Gary Davis) 989-845-7740